Time, cruel Time (Daniel, set by J. Danyel) (The Lied and Art Song Texts Page: Texts and Translations to Lieder, mélodies, canzoni, and other classical vocal music)


Time, cruel Time, canst thou subdue that brow
That conquers all but thee, and thee too stays,
As if she were exempt from scythe or bow,
From love and years, unsubject to decays?
  Or art thou grown in league with those fair eyes,
That they might aid thee to consume our days?
Or doest thou love her for her cruelties,
Being merciless like thee that no man weighs?
  Then do so still, although she makes so 'steem
Of days nor years, but lets them run in vain.
Hold still thy swift-winged hours, that wond'ring seem
To gaze on her, even to turn back again;
  And do so still, although she nothing cares.
Do as I do, love her although unkind.
Hold still. Yet, O I fear, at unawares
Thou wilt beguile her though thou seem'st so kind.

Authorship

Samuel Daniel (1562-1619)

Delia

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive)

John Danyel (1564-1626)

Songs for the Lute

Added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.

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